Ogun State International Airport is set to get an approval to begin to operate non-scheduled and scheduled flights in the next few weeks.

The state Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, made this known during the 13th International Trade Fair Breakfast Meeting of Governor Dapo Abiodun with Chief Executive Officers, Captains of Industry, Entrepreneurs, Investors and Stakeholders, at the Mitros Residence, GRA, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Governor Abiodun at the meeting revealed that President Bola Tinubu had approved the airport zone, which is in a Special Agro-Processing Zone, as a Free Trade Zone, adding that a neighbouring country had indicated interest to export its agro-produce from the Airport.

"Our newly built Gateway International Airport which will soon be commissioned, I believe as a matter of fact, this week, that airport will get an approval to begin to operate non-scheduled flights, meaning that private planes can now fly flights and come to that airport, just like they go to any other airport.

"I believe within the next two weeks or less, we will also get the approval for scheduled flights to begin to operate out of that airport", he said.

He added Kajola Inland Container Terminal would soon be flagged-off, saying the terminal, when fully operational, would allow investors in the state an opportunity to pick up their containers, process raw materials and export their goods seamlessly.

Governor Abiodun also informed that the Red and the Blue lines would be extended from Lagos to the state, to facilitate easy transportation of goods, people and services between Lagos, Ogun and the rest of the hinterland, expressing commitment to the completion of Agbara-Atan-Lusada Road, as well as rehabilitation of internal roads within Agbara.

He assured investors that his administration would continue to improve the investment climate in the state and not relent in supporting industries to thrive, saying his administration had provided support to businesses to cushion the effect of the challenging time, just as it intervened by providing maize at a highly subsidised rate in the agricultural sector.

He stated that government would continue to build on the foundation established in the state through the “ISEYA” mantra, improve infrastructure, address security kinetically and non-kinetically, to aid the over 6,000 industries operating in the state, appealing to investors to stop approaching land speculators, but rather approach Bureau of Lands and Survey to avoid paying twice for their properties.

“We will continue to do what is expected of us as government to support you. We will continue to cushion the effect of the economy, not just for our citizens but also for industries”, he said.

The governor appreciated participants for participating in the 13th Gateway International Trade Fair, calling for their continuous support in future Trade Fairs and the state.

Earlier, Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Adebola Sofela, disclosed that the meeting is meant to foster relationship between the government and the private sector, adding that the gathering would provide an opportunity for the state government to inform the private sector about policies of government, to promote innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainable growth.

On his part, West Zonal Director, Nigeria Investment Promotion Council(NIPC), Lawal Hassan, who noted that the state was fast becoming the investment choice for investors, due to its conducive business environment lauded the Abiodun-led administration for improving the investment climate in the State, noting that the Agbara Industrial Zone remains the largest industrial zone in Africa, while Ogun State has been ranked as the most improved in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in Nigeria and the second leading economically viable in the country.

Contributing, Group Managing Director, Flour Mills Plc, Mr. Boye Olusanya commended the efforts of the state government, calling on it to continue to break new grounds.